Raleigh, N.C. – On May 6th, 2019, Sen. Tom McInnis (R-Richmond) and the North Carolina Senate passed Senate Bill 219. This legislation will modify teacher licensing requirements ensuring that excellent teachers are kept in the classroom without the fear of losing their jobs after only 2 years due to testing that is not reflective of their abilities. This legislation will allow principals and superintendents to sign an affidavit assuring the quality of the teacher whose experience demonstrates that he or she is highly qualified to be in the classroom. Further, this bill will help combat the teacher shortage that exists in rural North Carolina.
“I am grateful to all the stakeholders who have assisted with this bill. Senate Bill 219 Teacher Licensure Modification will allow local superintendents and school principals to keep qualified teachers in the classroom as they work toward obtaining permanent licensure.” said Senator McInnis. “It is imperative that we keep qualified teachers in the classroom in our State and this bill will help to stem the tide of the teacher shortage that exists in every district, especially rural North Carolina. I look forward to this bill being passed in the House of Representatives and ultimately signed into law by the Governor.”
